Courses
DH 320. Perspectives on Digital Humanities (3)
Prerequisite: Completion of the lower division writing requirement. The course helps students understand how digital technologies are changing the ways we produce, preserve, share and disseminate knowledge in the humanities. Students will learn about major projects, theories and developments in the field of digital humanities, including text encoding, data analysis, visualization and/or digital archiving. The course emphasizes the flexibility of these concepts and methods for interdisciplinary work with various degrees of engagement with digital tools. (Available for General Education, C2 Humanities.) (IC) (WI)
DH 480. Digital Humanities Studies and Projects (3)
Preparatory: DH 320. The course guides students in the application of topics, theories and tools to one major area of digital humanities work specified by the instructor. Students participate in a range of intellectual and hands-on activities that involve computation-enhanced research in the humanities and might involve web technologies, computational textual analysis, content management, metadata attribution, interface design, and/or virtual space and 3D modeling (among others). Available for graduate credit.
HUM 101. Forms and Ideas in Humanities (3)
Prerequisite: Multiple Measures Placement in GE-level writing or completion of the lower division writing requirement. Introductory course provides instruction in the interdisciplinary analysis and interpretation of meaning in art, music and literature ,and in the understanding of philosophical ideas in their own right and as they influence styles and themes in works of art. (Available for General Education, C1 Arts or C2 Humanities.)
HUM 105. Cultural Eras in Humanities I (3)
Prerequisite: Multiple Measures Placement in GE-level writing or completion of the lower division writing requirement. Interdisciplinary study of major eras of humanistic development from the ancient world to the 15th century through representative works of visual art, architecture, music, philosophy, religion and oral and written literature. (Available for General Education, C1 Arts or C2 Humanities)
HUM 106. Cultural Eras in Humanities II (3)
Prerequisite: Multiple Measures Placement in GE-level writing or completion of the lower division writing requirement. Interdisciplinary study of major eras of humanistic development from the 16th to 20th century through representative works of visual art, architecture, film, music, philosophy, religion and oral and written literature. (Available for General Education, C1 Arts or C2 Humanities.)
HUM 296A-Z. Experimental Topics Courses in Humanities (1-3)
Experimental Topics
HUM 391. Cultural Theories and Methodologies (3-3)
Preparatory: HUM 105 or HUM 106. Intensive interdisciplinary study of an age, movement, problem or theme, with emphasis on the practices and methodologies of interdisciplinary study. The topic of the seminar varies. (Cross-listed with FLIT 391.)
HUM 396A-Z. Experimental Topics Courses in Humanities (3)
Experimental Topics
HUM 491. Capstone Seminar (3-3)
Preparatory: HUM 391 or FLIT 391; At least one course in intellectual history, cultural theory or critical methodologies. Intensive interdisciplinary study of an age, movement, problem or theme, with emphasis on the application of cultural theory in interdisciplinary study. The topic of the seminar varies. Available for graduate credit. (Cross-listed with FLIT 491 and LRS 491.)
HUM 496A-Z. Experimental Topics Courses in Humanities (3)
Experimental Topics
HUM 499A-C. Independent Study (1-3)
Independent Study
INDS 250. Introduction to Interdisciplinary Studies (3)
This course introduces students to research, literacy, knowledge production and knowledge organization. This course will also examine how knowledge has been organized in different settings and in different fields (such as the sciences and the humanities) and how its reorganization processes relate to social, historical and cultural issues, such as power, identity and ideology. Students will learn basic skills, foundational concepts and terminology in multidisciplinarity, transdisciplinarity and interdisciplinarity.
INDS 300. Frameworks for Interdisciplinarity (3)
This course explores how systems of knowledge evolve and discusses creativity practices through a selection of representative examples of intellectual enterprises pursued outside disciplinary boundaries. These creative practices may involve artistic, literary, religious, scientific, philosophical, cultural or political paradigm shifts (among others) reviewed in the context of knowledge creation theories.
INDS 350. Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies (3)
Prerequisite: INDS 250. This course exposes students to interdisciplinary research by using two main approaches: interdisciplinarity as both multidisciplinarity and transdisciplinarity. Students will recognize the constraints of disciplinary boundaries and create disciplinary connections in order to integrate different perspectives.
INDS 400. Interdisciplinary Studies Projects (3)
Prerequisite: INDS 350. This course teaches students both how to develop their own individual interdisciplinary project proposal and how to collaborate in an interdisciplinary research team to produce an interdisciplinary group project proposal. Students research and propose interdisciplinary projects and present them for class evaluation. The written proposals will require the identification of an interdisciplinary research question and a literature review of current scholarship related to the research question. Students must identify specific objectives to be accomplished during the project(s) and produce a description of what methods will be used to accomplish these objectives. They will also provide a justification for what forms of evidence will be used to answer the research question, and perform an assessment process to evaluate the success of the project. Students will hone their writing skills within the conventions and formats of interdisciplinary research.
INDS 490. Interdisciplinary Studies Capstone (3)
Prerequisite: INDS 400. This capstone requires students to complete a group interdisciplinary project on a topic of their choice by using scholarly expertise and expertise available in their class. Projects may come from ideas developed in previous INDS classes and can include a paper, an app, an artifact, a community project, an installation, a performance, a device, an event, among others.
LRS 100/F. Liberal Studies Freshman Seminar and Field Study (1/1)
Prerequisite: ITEP Freshman option students only. Recommended Corequisite: LRS 100F. Introduces first-time freshman students to university culture and expectations and to fieldwork methodology in elementary education. Students focus primarily on themselves as learners with a secondary focus on children as learners. Topics: how students learn; time management; diversity; information competence; introduction to technology; university literacy; campus-specific resources and services; and an introduction to fieldwork methodology. 1 hour of lecture and 2 hours of guided field experience in elementary school classrooms per week.
LRS 150/F. Liberal Studies and Anthropology and Field Study (2/1)
Prerequisite: ITEP Freshman option students only. Recommended Corequisite: LRS 150F. Preparatory: LRS 100/F. Introduction to the study of cultural anthropology, with a focus on cultural issues that influence learning and education of multicultural populations. Students apply cultural concepts to understand themselves as learners and to children in elementary-school settings. Topics include gender, ethnicity and people who are culturally and linguistically diverse. Foundations of ethnographic observation and development of a case study of an elementary-school student. Includes 15 hours of guided field experience in elementary classrooms.
LRS 196A-Z. Experimental Topics Courses (3)
Experimental Topics
LRS 200/L. Liberal Studies Seminar and Lab: Learning, Thinking, and Doing Physical Science (3/1)
Prerequisite: ITEP-Freshman Option students only. Corequisite: LRS 200L. This course provides aspiring elementary school teachers with an understanding of how young children construct and comprehend key facets of science including explanations, theories, models, and experiments. In tandem with learning and doing science, students think about the philosophical and cognitive underpinnings of these facets of science. The course will also look at the nature of some of students’ alternative conceptions in science and strategies for assessing children’s existing beliefs. The laboratory component, LRS 200L, involves practicing physical science core ideas as both learners and teachers. As learners, they conduct physical science investigations themselves. As teachers, they teach lessons to elementary children based on the concepts learned and conduct interviews with the elementary children. This lab meets for 3 hours per week. 15 hours of offsite laboratory work is required.
LRS 250/F. Integrating Reason, Belief and Education and Field Study (3/1)
Prerequisite: ITEP Freshman option students only. Recommended Corequisite: LRS 250F. Introduction to the concepts essential to the identification, analysis and evaluation of arguments for students in the Integrated Teacher Education Program. Students examine the variety of sources of justification, evidence and warrant, such as argumentation, problem solving and perception. Emphasizes the application of these and learning in K-12 classrooms. Includes 15 hours of guided field experience in elementary classrooms.
LRS 296A-Z. Experimental Topics Courses (3)
Experimental Topics
LRS 300/F. Interdisciplinary Approaches for Future Teachers and Field Study (2/1)
Prerequisites: Course is limited to Pre-Credential and ITEP-Junior Option students; Junior Standing. Corequisite: LRS 300F. This course focuses on developing skills for successfully integrating subject matter knowledge from multiple disciplines in preparation for a career in teaching. It introduces students to knowledge integration theory and tools for integrated teaching including: basic notions of literacy, knowledge production, and knowledge organization and reconfiguration across different settings (vocational disciplines and liberal arts) and different fields (the sciences and the humanities). Students develop an understanding of Subject Matter Areas among those within State Curriculum Frameworks for Grades K-8 (English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, History/Social Science, Visual and Performing Arts, Health Education, and Physical Education) and practice effective ways to interconnect them in view of their future teaching practices. The course includes training in the research and technology skills required for integrated teaching, as well as specific assignments connected to the academic and professional requirements for a Liberal Studies pre-credential major. 15 hours of guided field experience in an elementary classroom is required.
LRS 333. Perspectives on Literacy (3)
Prerequisite: ENGL 301. Corequisites: LRS 433/F. This course examines topics related to the development of reading and writing—what people frequently refer to as literacy. These topics range from how the organization of the human brain integrates its design for language with the cognitive demands of representing language in print to understanding the roles of human interaction and culture in the development of early literacy.
LRS 396A-Z. Experimental Topics Courses (3)
Experimental Topics
LRS 425A-Z. Selected Topics in Childhood Studies (3)
Prerequisite: Completion of the lower division writing requirement. Recommended Preparatory: ENGL 428 or ENGL 429. Intensive interdisciplinary study of a particular topic in childhood studies as seen from historical and critical perspectives, with emphasis on the application of cultural theory. Topics will change from semester to semester.
LRS 433/F. Practicum in Early Literacy (2/1)
Prerequisite: ENGL 301. Corequisite: LRS 333. This is a practicum designed to extend information and concepts presented in LRS 333. The focus of this course is on the application of research in language, development and early literacy. The role of early intervention in the prevention of learning difficulties and concepts related to individual differences in reading and writing are examined. Students are required to connect theory with practice; reflect upon young children’s and their own reading and writing; and design, implement and evaluate evidence-based instruction. 15 hours of supervised fieldwork is required.
LRS 491. Capstone Seminar (3-3)
Preparatory: FLIT 391 or HUM 391. Intensive interdisciplinary study of an age, movement, problem, or theme, with emphasis on the application of cultural theory in interdisciplinary study. The topic of the seminar varies. Students will complete a senior project, such as a research paper or a creative performance that demonstrates the integrated knowledge, understanding and skills they have gained in the course of studies in the major. Available for graduate credit. (Cross-listed with FLIT and HUM 491.)
LRS 496A-Z. Experimental Topics Courses (3)
Experimental Topics
SUST 111. Understanding Climate Change (3)
Severe global climate change will have disastrous consequences for Earth’s population. This course will develop the basic science behind the predictions for Earth’s climate, and explain why human activities, primarily the emission of greenhouse gases, is the main driver of global warming. Course topics include the causes of climate change, its impacts, projections for the future, possible mitigation, and economic barriers imposed by the global capitalist system. 3 hours lecture per week. Students receive credit for only one course chosen from either SUST 111, GEOG 111, or SCI 111. (Available for General Education, B1 Physical Science. Students may satisfy the B3 Science Laboratory Activity requirement by completing SUST 111L.)
SUST 111L. Understanding Climate Change Lab (1)
Corequisite: SUST 111. Laboratory exercises include climate prediction modeling, the use of proxy data, and examination of the impacts of climate change. 3 hours lab per week. Students receive credit for only one course chosen from either SUST 111L, GEOG 111L, or SCI 111L. (Available for General Education, B3 Science Laboratory Activity requirement provided SUST 111 is also completed.)
SUST 240. Environmental Ethics (3)
Examines the meaning and value of nature and the environment from a variety of ethical perspectives, including feminist and de-colonial perspectives. Questions can include: How should human beings relate to the natural world? How can we build sustainable interactions with the natural world? Do we have moral obligations toward non-human animals and other parts of nature? What do we owe to other beings, including future generations, with respect to the environment? In the face of catastrophic climate change, is it moral to procreate or to eat meat? (Cross-listed with PHIL 240.) (Available for General Education, C2 Humanities.)
SUST 300. Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Sustainability (3)
Prerequisite: Completion of the lower division writing requirement. This course uses an interdisciplinary approach to help students understand concepts of sustainability from multiple perspectives. Students will build skills to apply theories to real-world problems of sustainability, and develop the ability to apply sustainability principles and critical thinking skills to their personal and professional decision-making processes. (Available for General Education, D1 Social Sciences.) (WI)
SUST 310. Best Practices in Sustainability (3)
Prerequisite: Completion of the lower division writing requirement. In this course, students will learn current and best practices for planetary sustainability on an individual, institutional, regional and global level. Topics focus on reducing carbon emissions and pollution, and supporting a healthy and sustainable planet. These will include clean-energy technology, water conservation, agricultural-based strategies for sustainable farming, management and preservation of natural resources, natural building techniques and clean transportation systems. (Available for General Education, E Lifelong Learning.) (WI)
SUST 401. Applied Sustainability (3)
Prerequisite: SUST 310 or permission of instructor. Preparatory: SUST 300. This course offers a practical application of sustainability knowledge and practices to address a community problem. Environmental, equity and economic impacts must be considered in performing situation analyses and developing recommendations. Course provides the opportunity to apply sustainability knowledge in a consulting capacity and evaluate alternative solutions taking sustainability considerations into account. Affords students a community service learning experience. Available for graduate credit.